In one of the most dramatic finishes in recent memory at the Home of Cricket, England edged past India by 22 runs in the third Test at Lord’s to take a 2-1 lead in the five-match series. What unfolded over five gripping days was a masterclass in attritional Test cricket, filled with moments of individual brilliance, late resistance, and nerve-wracking drama that had fans on the edge until the very last ball.
Day 1: Root Leads England's Solid Start
Winning the toss and electing to bat, England rode on Joe Root’s fluent century to post a competitive 387 in the first innings. Root, who had been under pressure to convert starts into big scores, answered critics with a composed 104. Zak Crawley chipped in with 56, while India’s bowling unit shared the wickets with no single standout. Despite regular breakthroughs, India never quite managed to string together enough dot-ball pressure as England kept the scoreboard ticking.
Day 2: Rahul Responds with a Century of His Own
India responded with determination, thanks largely to KL Rahul, who matched Root’s effort with a dogged 100. The opener looked fluent on both sides of the wicket, stitching together key partnerships with Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant. India’s middle order faltered slightly, but the tail wagged just enough to ensure they ended on exactly 387—levelling the scores and keeping the match tantalisingly poised.
Day 3: Low-Scoring Tussle Sets Up Thriller
England’s second innings saw a drastic shift in tone. The hosts lost wickets at regular intervals on a surface that had begun to offer uneven bounce. Skipper Ben Stokes led the way with a vital 44 under pressure, while Ravindra Jadeja picked up three wickets and Bumrah chipped in with two. Washington Sundar was the pick of the Indian bowlers, claiming four wickets. England were bowled out for just 192, leaving India a target of 193 to win on a challenging surface—modest on paper but tricky in context.
Day 4: Archer Returns with Fire, India Stumble
India’s chase began cautiously but quickly unraveled under immense pressure. Jofra Archer, playing his first Test in more than four years, sent shockwaves through the Indian camp with pace, hostility, and precision. He dismissed Rishabh Pant and KL Rahul—two of India’s biggest hopes in the chase—within a short spell, rattling the visitors. Chris Woakes removed Washington Sundar for a duck, and the day ended with India reeling at 95/5.
Day 5: Heartbreak and Heroism
With 98 runs still needed on the final day and only five wickets in hand, the odds were firmly stacked against India. Nitish Reddy offered brief hope before falling to Stokes for 13. The pressure mounted with every over. Jadeja held one end with grim determination, reaching a defiant half-century, but wickets kept tumbling around him.
By lunch, India were reduced to 112/8. It seemed all but over, but a stubborn ninth-wicket stand between Jadeja and Bumrah injected new life into the contest. The pair added 35 runs, frustrating the English bowlers and silencing the crowd. When Bumrah was finally dismissed by Stokes, India still needed 46 more.
Siraj joined Jadeja with a steely resolve. They managed to chip away at the target, bringing it down to 22 before the defining moment of the match arrived.
With the entire field surrounding the bat, Shoaib Bashir—bowling with a fractured finger—delivered a sharp off-break that pitched and straightened just enough. Siraj did well to defend it but the ball rolled on and kissed the top of off-stump. The bails fell. So did India.
England erupted. Lord’s erupted.
Stokes' All-Round Heroics, Archer's Fire
Ben Stokes was deservedly named Player of the Match for his all-round contribution—scores of 44 and 33, along with five crucial wickets, and a stunning run-out of Rishabh Pant that turned the game. His use of the field, aggressive spells late on Day 4, and emotional leadership were all instrumental in the win.
Archer’s return was equally poetic. After years of injury setbacks, he marked his comeback with the prized wickets of Rahul and Pant, and pace that hit 148 kph consistently. “He’s back—and perhaps better,” said Nasser Hussain in commentary.
Jadeja’s Lone Fight
For India, Ravindra Jadeja’s unbeaten 61 was a tale of character. He batted 181 balls and nearly took India home, but lacked support from the other end. Bumrah and Siraj provided resistance, but the batting collapse earlier left too much to do.
What’s Next?
With the series now tilted 2-1 in England’s favour, India head to Old Trafford with serious questions around their fourth-innings temperament. Their inability to chase sub-200 totals continues to haunt them—this being the fourth such failure in the last 18 months.
England, meanwhile, are riding high on momentum. With Archer firing, Stokes leading from the front, and Root back in form, they now have one hand on the series.
The fourth Test begins at Old Trafford on July 23. The series is still alive, but India must bounce back, or risk losing another high-profile series abroad.